JP7488335B2 - Connectors and connection assemblies for multi-chamber profiles and/or piping - Patents.com - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a connector as described in the preamble of claim 1 and a connector assembly as described in claim 10.

In the prior art, various connectors are disclosed for connecting fluid pipes of different dimensions. In the field of electric vehicles, for example, there is a need for connectors that can couple different fluid pipes of a temperature control device of an energy storage device with one another. The energy storage device can be, for example, an accumulator or a battery. The present invention relates to a connector that can be used in the area of temperature control devices. The connector according to the invention and the connector assembly according to the invention can of course also be used in areas other than vehicle construction and electric vehicle construction. In principle, the use is possible in all areas or applications where fluid pipes of different dimensions are connected to one another and where the cooling requirements are increased in a limited construction space. Uses are conceivable in the field of plant construction, especially in the chemical industry, and in the food or pharmaceutical industry. In particular, the use of the invention is conceivable where production equipment has to be cooled and there are limited spatial conditions or constructional space. Uses are further conceivable in utility vehicles with conventional drives, such as excavators, forestry machines, rail vehicles.

The universal connector is used to connect conventional pipe piping of circular cross section to a flat profile, or to a line having a flat, elongated cross section and multiple, mutually separated, generally parallel piping channels forming a corresponding flat profile.

Here, high demands are made on the operational reliability of the energy storage device, the corresponding temperature control device and also the connectors installed there. In particular, the usual safety standards in the automotive industry must be observed. For example, leaks in the energy storage device must be reliably prevented. Furthermore, the connectors must be designed to withstand the pressure conditions of traditionally used fluids, such as a mixture of water and glycol.

The basic problem with this type of connector stems from the fact that it must reliably join two very different shapes of piping together. One of them is a completely unconventional shape with a narrow, almost straight cross section. This narrow cross section complicates the required tightness of the connection. Furthermore, the narrow cross section and the corresponding straight flat surfaces make it more difficult to axially fasten the flat tubular piping to the connector, since for example threads cannot be used to fasten the flat profile.

As the charging speed of batteries and the corresponding power requirements of electric vehicles are rapidly increasing, the requirements for temperature control devices of batteries are also increasing. Therefore, the field of fluid piping and its connectors also requires corresponding improvements.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved connector, with which fluid pipes of significantly different shapes can be tightly and securely connected to one another. Furthermore, it is an object to make the connector as simple as possible to manufacture and to make it possible to establish the corresponding connection simply, possibly without tools and/or automatically. The connector can be used in the field of energy storage devices for automobiles and generally in all fields in which different fluid pipes have to be connected to one another. The connector is particularly advantageous in areas with limited construction space and in applications with high cooling requirements.

The main features of the invention are set out in claims 1 and 10. Configurations of the invention form the subject matter of claims 2 to 9.

The present invention relates to a connector for two fluid lines of different shapes, or multi-chamber profiles and/or lines. The connector is configured to connect the two fluid lines to each other. The connector comprises a housing, the housing comprising a first and second connection portion and a fluid channel that fluidly connects the first and second connection portions. The connection portion is configured to be coupled to the fluid lines. The connector further comprises a locking element that can be coupled to the housing and a seal that can be positioned between the housing and the locking element.

The locking element and the housing can be positioned relative to one another such that a receiving portion for receiving the seal is formed between the housing and the locking element.

The connection of the housing and the locking element allows the seal and/or one of the two fluid lines to be fixed and particularly firmly clamped in the connector. The housing and the locking element can, for example, be engaged with one another in a mating manner, such that the seal is enclosed and fixed between the two housing parts, i.e. the housing and the locking element, and/or is stressed and deformed in the process due to the seal. In the connected state of the two housing parts, one fluid line may be fixed at least in the radial direction. In this case, the radial direction is understood to mean a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or main flow direction of the fluid line.

Furthermore, the first connection portion is configured for the connection of a first fluid pipe having an elongated cross-section, and the second connection portion is configured for the connection of a second fluid pipe having a different, in particular circular, cross-section.

In this way, it is advantageously possible to easily and inexpensively connect two fluid pipes of different shapes to each other without leaks.

According to a preferred embodiment, the housing and/or the locking element are manufactured in one piece, in particular by injection molding or die casting or additive manufacturing. Here, the housing parts may be manufactured accordingly from metal and/or plastic. The use of a casting process for the manufacture of the housing parts makes it possible to realize said manufacture particularly cheaply and in a manner that is particularly suitable for mass production. Additive production processes are understood to be in particular all commonly used 3D printing processes.

In a further preferred embodiment, the housing and the locking element may be latched to one another. Such latching constitutes a particularly preferred simple form of connection of the two components. For this purpose, the housing part and the locking element may be provided with snap-fit connections and corresponding cutouts which engage with one another when the two parts are placed one inside the other or one against the other.

In a further preferred embodiment, a fixing part may be provided on the housing and/or the locking element and configured for fixing the first fluid line. The fixing part may be configured for axially fixing the first fluid line. In this way, it can be advantageously ensured that the fluid line does not undesirably switch from being coupled to the connector to being decoupled from the connector, so that the fluid flowing through the connector does not undesirably flow out of the latter.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastening part comprises at least one notch for introducing a fastening element and/or at least one snap-fit connection, the fastening element and the snap-fit connection being configured to fix the first fluid pipe in the connector by mating. For this purpose, the fluid pipe may comprise a notch or a lead-through into which the fastening element or the snap-fit connection can be introduced at least partially. In a simple embodiment, the snap-fit connection may be formed integrally with the corresponding housing part. The snap-fit connection may be formed in such a way that when the first fluid pipe is introduced into the connector, the snap-fit connection is latched into the notch or the lead-through of the fluid pipe. As a result, the fluid pipe is fixed in the axial direction.

In further preferred embodiments, it is conceivable that the connector consists of three components: a housing, a locking element and a seal, or that the connector consists of three components: a housing, a locking element and a seal, and at least one fixing element. The two fluid lines may be in direct contact with all the described components when connected to each other. The fixing element may be a component separate from the other three components, for example a fixing pin, a sheet metal insert, in particular made from spring steel, or another fastener.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the outer dimensions of the housing and the locking element are very close to one another when viewed in cross section. In this way, a uniform appearance of the connector can be ensured when the housing and the locking element are connected to one another. The two housing parts can thus have different longitudinal extensions, but in the radial direction, neither of the two housing parts extends significantly further than the other housing part in each case.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the fluid channel is a flat and planar cutout in the housing, at least in cross section. A flat cutout is understood to mean one that extends significantly further in two mutually perpendicular spatial directions than in a third spatial direction. Such a flat fluid channel, which serves as a connecting channel between two significantly different fluid lines, allows an unhindered fluid flow between the two fluid lines that is as stable as possible and can be maintained with a correspondingly low through-flow resistance or low pressure loss.

In a further preferred embodiment, it is conceivable that the first fluid line is introduced at least partially into the fluid channel and/or that the housing is provided with reinforcing ribs on the outside. The planar or planar design of the fluid channel makes it possible to introduce the first fluid line, which is also planar or flat tubular, at least partially into the fluid channel, thus ensuring an optimal attachment of the first fluid line to the connector.

The present invention further relates to a connector assembly having a connector, the connector being coupled to a fluid pipe in the form of a flat channel. Advantageously, the connector assembly can also be pre-assembled and thus more easily used in further installation steps during installation of the energy storage device.

Other features, details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of the embodiments with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connector assembly. FIG. 2 is a perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector assembly. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a locking element. FIG. 13 is a further perspective view of the locking element. FIG. 13 is a further perspective longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector assembly. FIG. 2 is a transverse longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector assembly. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first fluid pipe. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fixing element in a semi-finished state. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening element in its completed state. FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector assembly having a fixing element. FIG. 2 illustrates the functional principle of a fixing element.

Figure 1A shows a connector assembly with a connector 1 for two fluid lines, the first fluid line 11 shown on the right at a first connection 21, and the second fluid line not shown but can be coupled to the connector 1 at a second connection 22 on the left. The connection of the second fluid line can be realized via any standard connection, for example via an SAE connection. The first connection 21 can be an area provided inside the housing 2 of the connector 1.

The first fluid pipe 11 may be in the form of a very flat tube or flat profile, and the second fluid pipe may be a fluid pipe with a conventional circular cross section. The two fluid pipes 11 may consequently have significantly different geometries.

The first fluid pipe 11 may have a width of up to 120 mm and a height of, for example, only 3 mm. The first fluid pipe may be manufactured, for example, from aluminium or an aluminium alloy, other metal alloys or a suitable plastic.

Arranged in the housing 2 having the first and second connection parts 21, 22 and fluidly connecting both connections 21, 22 is a fluid channel 23, shown in FIG. 1B below. A locking element 3 is coupled to the housing 2. The locking element 3 may also be called a clamping piece. The housing 2 has a reinforcing rib 24, which may in particular be arranged in an area adjacent to the second connection part 22 and further away from the first connection part 21.

Both the housing 2 and the locking element 3 may be manufactured as one piece, in particular by injection molding or die casting. As shown in FIG. 1A, the housing 2 and the locking element 3 may be latched to each other. Shown for this purpose are five elongated notches 31 arranged one above the other, into which snap-fit connections 32 (shown in the next figure) are latched.

In the locking element 3, two holes are visible that serve as fastenings 6. A fastening element (not shown in more detail) can be introduced into these holes or other cutouts, which also extend through a corresponding cutout or hole in the first fluid line 11. In this way, the fluid line 11 can be fixed relative to the connector 1.

Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to provide at least one snap-fit connection 32 as the fastening part 6, which is likewise configured for fitting the first fluid pipe 11 into the connector 1. The snap-fit connection 32 can be arranged inside the housing 2 and/or inside the locking element 3 and oriented in the direction of the first fluid pipe 11 that can be arranged therein. When the first fluid pipe 11 is introduced into the housing 2 or into the locking element 3, the snap-fit connection 32 can be latched into a corresponding notch or hole in the first fluid pipe 11, thus fixing the fluid pipe 11 to the connector 1.

Figure 1A further shows that the outer dimensions of the housing 2 and the locking element 3 are very close to each other when viewed in cross section. Thus, both housing parts 2, 3 in Figure 1A extend substantially equally in the vertical direction and in the direction of the plane of the drawing. In contrast, in the axial or approximately horizontal direction in Figure 1A, the housing 2 extends significantly farther than the locking element 3, in particular by more than two or three times as far.

FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector assembly shown in FIG. 1A. Shown here in addition to the components visible in FIG. 1A is a seal 4 disposed between the housing 2 and the locking element 3. The seal 4 may be in the form of an O-ring that fully engages around the first fluid conduit 11 to prevent fluid from flowing from the fluid conduit to the outside of the connector 1.

The housing 2 and the locking element 3 are formed and arranged relative to each other such that a receiving portion 5 for receiving the seal 4 is formed. Here, the seal 4 is held in a chamber forming the receiving portion 5 and is bounded radially outwardly by the housing 2 and/or the locking element 3, radially inwardly by the first fluid pipe 11, and biaxially by the housing 2 on the one hand and the locking element 3 on the other hand.

In the connector 1, a fluid channel 23 is shown, which fluidly connects the two fluid lines to each other. The fluid channel 23 is planar. It may have a substantially triangular basic shape. The fluid channel 23 extends from the first connection 21 to the second connection 22 so that it has substantially the extent of their width in the area in communication with the fluid lines. This allows the penetration of the fluid channel 23, and thus of the connector 1, with the lowest possible losses.

It can further be seen that the first fluid line 11 consists of a plurality of, for example parallel, piping channels 13, and that between the piping channels 13 and the upper and lower edges of the fluid line 11, in each case one edge region 12 is provided which is free of such piping channels 13. Shown at the bottom and at the top in said edge region 12 is in each case one lead-through 14, into which a fixing element or a snap-fit connection 32 for fixing the fluid line 11 to the connector 1 may be introduced.

1B shows that the connector 1 consists of three components: a housing 2, a locking element 3 and a seal 4. If, instead of a snap-fit connection 32, for example a fixing pin is used as the fixing element, the connector 1 may consist of four different components, in which case, of course, one or more fixing pins can also be used.

2A and 2B show different views of the locking element 3. In this embodiment, the locking element 3 comprises a snap-fit connection 32, while the housing 2 must have a corresponding notch 31, i.e. a lead-through, into which the snap-fit connection 32 can latch. The exemplary embodiment shows a total of ten snap-fit connections 32, in each case five snap-fit connections 32 arranged opposite one another. It can further be seen that the locking element 3 constitutes a lead-through or a hole as a fastening 6. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which, alternatively or additionally, corresponding snap-fit connections 32 and/or fastenings 6 are provided in the housing 2. If snap-fit connections are additionally or alternatively provided in the housing 2, naturally a corresponding notch 31 must be present in the locking element 3 to allow latching.

Figure 2B shows a rib 33 arranged inside the locking element 3 and configured to contact the first fluid line 11 and fix the first fluid line 11 in the locking element 3. Here, one rib 33 and one snap-fit connection 32 may be arranged alternately in each case. The ribs 33 may be arranged along the longitudinal and transverse sides of the locking element 3. In particular, two ribs 33' may be arranged in the symmetry plane of the locking element 3. The two ribs 33' may laterally contact or fix the fluid line 11.

Figures 3A and 3B show two cross-sectional views of the connector assembly, in which details regarding the position of the first fluid conduit 11 and its coupling to the locking element 3 of the housing 2 can be seen. In this regard, the first fluid conduit 11 is partially introduced into the fluid channel 23, in this way a better coupling of the fluid conduit 11 to the connector 1 is achieved.

Furthermore, the two snap-fit connections 32 of the locking element 3 are shown in a latched-in state. Here, the snap-fit connections 32 extend into corresponding cutouts 31 in the housing 2, thereby fixing the locking element 3 to the housing 2. Further fixing of the locking element 3 to the housing 2 is realized by an edge 34 of the locking element 3, which rests on a peripheral edge region of the housing 2 and forms a stop. The edge 34 and the snap-fit connections 32 together fix the locking element 3 to the housing 2 in both axial directions.

As becomes clear from Figures 3A and 3B, both the housing 2 and the locking element 3 may be of symmetrical form with respect to the plane in which the first fluid pipe 11 extends. Furthermore, it can be seen that the receiving portion 5 extends approximately coaxially with the locking element 3. In particular, it is considered that the axial extent of the receiving portion 5 corresponds to at least 50% of the axial extent of the locking element 3.

Finally, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first fluid pipe 11. Here, it can be seen that in the fluid pipe 11, a number of longitudinally extending separation walls are defined, which separate a corresponding number of piping channels 13 from one another. The piping channels 13 do not extend here over the entire width of the fluid pipe 11, but rather to the left and right of the piping channels 13 there are edge regions 12 in which no piping channels 13 are provided. Said edge regions 12 can extend in total up to half the width of the fluid pipe 11. The width of the fluid pipe 11 is understood to mean its horizontal extent in FIG. 4, and the axial direction is understood to mean the direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

5A shows the fixing element 60 in a semi-finished state and, for comparison, the locking element 3 thereon. The fixing element 60 may be a metal clamp piece manufactured from a blank or a metal sheet. The fixing element 60 may be cut out of the metal sheet, for example, by means of a laser cutter. The fixing element may comprise a peripheral portion 61 consisting of two parallel and/or straight longitudinal portions 62 and two curved portions 63 connecting the two longitudinal portions 62. In the finished state of the peripheral portion 60, said portions form a continuous peripheral portion 61 along which the first fluid line 11 can be guided. The finished state of the peripheral portion 60 is shown in FIG. 5B. The length of the longitudinal portions 62 corresponds approximately to the width of the first fluid line 11.

The bends 64 are provided along the longitudinal portion 62 of the peripheral portion 61. There may be a total of six bends 64 arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral portion 61, of which in each case two are arranged opposite each other. The bends 64 may likewise be provided on the inner peripheral edge of the peripheral portion 61. The inner bends 64 may in each case be arranged offset from each other. The inner bends 64 may also be formed shorter than the outer bends 64. In the semi-finished state of the fixing element 60 shown in FIG. 5A, both the peripheral portion and the bends 64 may be arranged on a plane. The bends 64 of the fixing element 60 may be arranged along the longitudinal portion 62 such that in the assembled state of the connector 1, at least a part of the bends 64 is between the ribs of the locking element 3.

Figure 5B shows the fastening element 60 in a completed state where all bends 64 are bent in a direction of approximately 80 degrees to 90 degrees. In this state, the fastening element 60 can be coupled to other components of the connector 1, thereby allowing the first fluid conduit 11 to pass through the leadthrough defined by the periphery 61.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of a connector assembly with a fixing element 60 disposed between the housing 2 and the locking element 3. To attach the connector assembly, the first fluid conduit 11 is pressed into the fixing element 60 and positioned within the further structure of the connector. In the fully assembled state of the connector assembly, at least a portion of the bent portion 64 of the fixing element 60 may be disposed within the housing 2. In the fully assembled state, the peripheral portion 61 of the fixing element 60 is located between and secured by the bearing surfaces of the housing 2 and the locking element 3.

Figure 7 shows the functional principle of the fastening element 60. For clarity, the housing 2 and the locking element 3 are not shown. The shape of the fastening element 60 or the unilateral shaping of the bends 64 results in a shape similar to barbs. These barbs prevent unwanted pulling out of the aluminum profile or the first fluid line 11 in the direction opposite to the mating direction (upper arrow). On the other hand, the attachment of the fluid line 11 by simple plugging into the connector 1 is also possible (lower arrow).

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

All features and advantages arising from the claims, the specification and the drawings, including structural details, physical arrangements and method steps, are essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Connector 2 Housing 3 Locking element 4 Seal 5 Receiving part 6 Fixing part 11 First fluid pipe 12 Edge region 13 Pipe channel 14 Lead-through 21 First connection part 22 Second connection part 23 Fluid channel 24 Reinforcing rib 31 Notch 32 Snap-fit connection part 33, 33' Rib 34 Edge part 60 Fixing element 61 Peripheral part 62 Longitudinal part 63 Curved part 64 Bent part

Claims (10)

A connector (1) for two fluid pipes of different shapes, comprising:
a housing (2) having a first connection portion (21) and a second connection portion (22) and a fluid channel (23) fluidly connecting both said connection portions (21, 22);
a locking element (3) that can be coupled to said housing (2);
a seal (4) positionable between the housing (2) and the locking element (3);
the locking element (3) and the housing (2) may be positioned relative to one another with respect to the fluid channel (23) such that a receiving portion (5) for receiving the seal (4) is formed between the housing (2) and the locking element (3);
the first connection (21) is configured for the connection of a first fluid pipe (11) having an elongated cross section,
the second connection part (22) is configured for the connection of a second fluid pipe having another cross section,
The first fluid pipe (11) is provided with a through hole,
a fixing portion (6) configured for fixing the first fluid line (11) is provided on the locking element (3),
The fixing portion (6) is at least one hole into which a fixing element passing through the through hole is fitted ,
The connector (1), wherein the fixing element is configured to fix the first fluid conduit (11) to the housing (2) . The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (2) and/or the locking element (3) are manufactured as a single unit by injection molding, die casting or additive manufacturing. The connector (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing (2) and the locking element (3) can be latched together. The connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a further fastening part is provided on the housing (2) and configured for fastening the first fluid line (11). The connector (1) of claim 4, wherein the other fixing portion comprises at least one snap-fit connection portion, the snap-fit connection portion being configured to fix the first fluid pipe (11) to the connector by mating. A connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising three components, namely the housing (2), the locking element (3) and the seal (4) , and at least one fixing element. A connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the outer dimensions of the housing (2) and the locking element (3) are very close to each other when viewed in cross section. A connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fluid channel (23) is planar within the housing (2). A connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first fluid pipe (11) is at least partially introduced into the fluid channel (23) and/or the housing (2) has reinforcing ribs (24) on the outside. A connector assembly comprising a connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the connector (1) being coupled to a first fluid pipe (11) in the form of a flat channel.

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